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October 2009 Guest Article -- "Aunt Else's Aebleskiver" |
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Meet Chad Gillard from "Aunt Else's Aebleskiver," Minneapolis, Minnesota
By Bob Rand
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Bob Rand lives in the beautiful seacoast area of New Hampshire. He's "semi-retired" and whenever
traveling, visits and enjoys the upbeat, friendly and wholesome feel of farmers' markets. He's always seeking farmers and craftspeople who want to offer their products in Buy Direct — The Virtual Farmers' Market.
This month we meet Chad Gillard the president of "Aunt Else's Aebleskiver," pronounced EB-el-sku-wyr. Aebleskiver is a Danish word meaning apple slice. Chad is advertising his aebleskiver products on "Buy Direct — the Virtual Farmers' Market." Read more about Chad, his business, and how you can experience aebleskiver for yourself!
"What the heck is aebleskiver," you may ask? Unless you grew up in a Danish household you probably never heard of it. Aebleskiver are traditional Danish pancakes in a distinctive shape of a sphere. Somewhat similar in texture to American pancakes crossed with a popover, aebleskiver are solid like a pancake but light and fluffy like a popover. Aebleskiver are cooked on the stovetop by baking in a special pan with several hemi-spherical indentations in the bottom of the pan. Aebleskiver are traditionally filled with a slice of apple, but can be made to suit a range of tastes from sweet to savory and are often topped with syrup, jam, or applesauce.
"Aunt Else's Aebleskiver" was established in 2008 by Lisa Timek, Linda Engwall, Sarah Engwall and Chad Gillard. Lisa & Linda are Else's nieces; Sarah is Linda's daughter. Chad and his three business partners are full-blooded Danish and grew up eating aebleskiver. Chad had never seen them made before Sarah came over one day to make aebleskiver for his kids. Chad's kids loved eating them! Chad had a hunch that others would also enjoy aebleskiver as well; and using a 110+ year old family recipe, he decided to see if he could sell his own aebleskiver at some local farmers' markets and food festivals around the Minneapolis area. To his delight his products have been enthusiastically welcomed and have been very popular since day one. "Aunt Else's Aebleskiver" are made in a traditional aebleskiver pan made of heavy cast iron. People enjoy watching them being made almost as much as actually eating them.
Chad's customers generally fall into two categories, depending upon whether or not they are familiar with aebleskiver. For those who have been raised in a Danish household there are often fond memories of eating aebleskiver growing up. Oftentimes a grandmother or a favorite aunt made them. Chad's newest customers are amazed at how they are made and are intrigued by this unusual and delicious Danish pastry that tastes similar to an American pancake crossed with a popover.
Once Chad became convinced that his aebleskiver were accepted in the marketplace he decided to begin a new company devoted to offering aebleskiver to the (non-Danish) world. He sub-leased some space in a commercial kitchen and began work establishing proper pricing and experimenting with packaging designs. Chad is now offering his products on his website, at four farmers' markets around Minneapolis and at retail stores in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and California. He is always looking for new customers.
Some actual customer comments:
"Difficult to pronounce, delightful to eat and a darn good time to make. Aebleskiver is not just for the Danish anymore."
"They are relentlessly addictive."
"A delicious way to end your farmers' market trip."
Aunt Else's makes it easy for you to make great tasting aebleskiver at home. Chad is offering his special aebleskiver mix as well as a locally made 9-hole cast iron aebleskiver pan here on "Buy Direct – the Virtual Farmers Market". Click here to find out more details — scroll down to find "Aunt Else's Aebleskiver":
http://www.onlyatfarmersmarkets.com/index.php?option=com_sobi2&catid=2&Itemid=100
You'll find lots more information, a video, recipes, and an order form.
Aebleskiver is not just for the Danish anymore.
If you have a farmers' market product, we can help you sell it worldwide by listing it on Buy Direct — the Virtual Farmers' Market. Many of the advertisers on Buy Direct are small, home-based food companies that offer things like unique BBQ sauces, baked animal treats, bagels made from spelt flour, crab cakes from Maine, jams, jellies and salad dressings. We have 25 different categories including baked goods, cheese, maple syrup, seafood and soaps, body care and other specialty items. Over 90 small entrepreneurs are now advertising with us. We are always looking to add more.
We are continuing to offer six months of FREE advertising to those selling farm related products or crafts. Click here to for more information on how you can become involved:
http://www.onlyatfarmersmarkets.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=115&Itemid=102.
See you next month.
Bob Rand
Buy Direct — the Virtual Farmers' Market
North Hampton, New Hampshire
603-964-5001
www.OnlyatFarmersMarkets.com
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